Just an update...

Hey everyone! I hope you all are sleeping better than I am lately.

I still find myself awake all night.

My girlfriend recently got her sleep study done and got a slick new machine that has all the bells and whistles. We traded masks for a night and I found I like the Mirage Swift II Nasal Pillow System alot better than my current mask. I actually got sleep that night!

I know this sounds weird but in the morning I find my nose hurts and it bleeds throughout the day so I have many scabs built up in the nose. Is this normal?

Thanks for all your support people.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): mirage, nasal pillow, swift

Are you using the heated humidifier? I find that if mine isn't set at at least 3, I will get a bloody nose after a few nights. You also want to be sure to use distilled water in the HH.
Are you cleaning the mask daily? If there are blood and scabs, you need to be concerned about infection. Keep the mask perfectly clean.
You say you have MANY scabs in the nose. It may be a good idea to see the doctor. Infection needs to be ruled out. If it were me; I'd have infection ruled out by the MD, then turn up the HH, then use a nasal moisturizing spray.

Brenda

Are you sure they're scabs? Not just dried secretions? Use the Ayr gel, really helps. Use the saline nasal rinse, it's a real help. It takes a while for the nares to adjust and even then you may have a day you're sore.

bdp522 - I don't have a doctor. I'm self diagnosed and the machine was given to me. I don't use the humidifier and it has regular tap water in it. I rarely use my machine with the current mask. It feels to much like drowning and I feel like I'm suffocating. I have only cleaned the mask once - I don't use it enough to clean it daily. Nasal spray? No thanks!

Most nights I just suffer. no machine at all. I just use a breathe right strip and call it good.

allergyridden - Yes I'm sure as they have blood on them when pulled out - witch hurts a heck of alot - and my nose bleeds after they are out. Thanks but I'm really not partial to liquids in the nose. even swimming bothers me.

kona (quote)

I don't have a doctor. I'm self diagnosed and the machine was given to me.

I must say after being a member of this board for some time now i think this may be the first time someone ever said they self diagnosed themself. I suppose with the right equipment you could self titrate yourself but (and i'm not trying to be the cpap police or anything) I would want to do it the right way IMHO get a sleep Doc do a sleep study get a prescription and get your own machine. cpap treatment does have some side effects one of which i have read here is it can cause plueresy, thats why when i went for my six month check up (to my sleep doc) last week he listened to my breathing with his stethoscope, i assume he was checking for lung problems.
With all that air being forced down there need a good set of lungs that are in good shape i guess is what i am saying.

Dale

so maybe quitting smoking back in April was a good thing...

Quitting smoking is a good thing kona but, there are something like 82 different sleep disorders from Narcolepsy to OSA to RLS to Centrals and on and on, and with out that sleep study you don't know what you are dealing with you are flying by the seat of your pant's so to speak.

Good Luck

Dale

kona0197 Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:28 am Post subject:

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bdp522 - I don't have a doctor. I'm self diagnosed and the machine was given to me. I don't use the humidifier and it has regular tap water in it. I rarely use my machine with the current mask. It feels to much like drowning and I feel like I'm suffocating. I have only cleaned the mask once - I don't use it enough to clean it daily. Nasal spray? No thanks!

Most nights I just suffer. no machine at all. I just use a breathe right strip and call it good.

allergyridden - Yes I'm sure as they have blood on them when pulled out - witch hurts a heck of alot - and my nose bleeds after they are out. Thanks but I'm really not partial to liquids in the nose. even swimming bothers me.

Without a sleep study how do you know you have sleep apnea? Was you observed by a partner? How often did the episodes happen and for how long? What did your oxygen levels drop to?

How did you decide what pressure is best for you? If the machine was given to you did you change the pressure after receiving the machine?
Did you use an auto machine to narrow the pressure down to your specific needs? If you have seldom used the machine what has caused the scabs in your nose -- how are you sure it is from the machine or mask? It could be an underlying medical issue and not the cpap. How do you know the mask fits you properly?

You should always use distilled water in the humidifier to prolong its life.

As far as using a nasal spray I find that the Ocean brand is great but have used store brand. What is your objection to using a saline spray? I find it soothes and makes my nares more comfortable and speeds healing and when I hurt I want relief at all costs. The saline sprays do not cost a lot and are helpful.

Many people have had great results with the saline rinses using a Netipot. They are affordable as others have posted how you can make your rinse with common kitchen items you probably already have on hand.

Surely there is a clinic or local MD that could check your nose to be sure there is no infection. It need not be an ENT or sleep doctor, any doctor would do.
Regular tap water may be part of the problem. Distilled water has no bad stuff in it to bother the tender nasal tissues.
If yo use the mask at all it needs to be cleaned after use or at least before putting it on again. If there is any infection, you don't want to reinfect or pread the infection.
No nasal spray?...there are gels and cremes that you could use to moisturize the area.
Pulling the scabs off is not a good thing. They are there to help the sores heal. Try to not disturb them and let them do their job.
You say you feel like you're drowning. What is the HH set on? Is there actual moisture build up or do you feel more claustrophobic?

Shippy; others have self diagnosed. Our Rested Gal is a perfect example!

Brenda

Shippy; others have self diagnosed. Our Rested Gal is a perfect example!

Brenda


The last time i checked the good old US of A is still a free country, I suppose if someone who thought they might have OSA or some other disorder hung around here and read enough info then just may be they could self diagnose thereself, i'm just not advocating it.

Dale

sleepycarol - I'll try to answer your questions.

Without a sleep study how do you know you have sleep apnea?

Trust me I know I have it as I have ALL the symptoms and have ruled out other causes for no sleep ans/or poor sleep.

Was you observed by a partner?

Yes. I quit breathing in my sleep several times every hour.

How often did the episodes happen and for how long?

Like I said - multiple times an hour and on top of that I feel tired all day.

What did your oxygen levels drop to?

I have no idea. I can't have a test done as i have no health care insurance nor money so no Doctor.

How did you decide what pressure is best for you?

I asked around and asked here. It was at 10 but that choked me so I put it on 7. It seems to work there when I'm using a decent mask.

If the machine was given to you did you change the pressure after receiving the machine?

Instructions are posted on the internet. a simple Google search is all you need.

Did you use an auto machine to narrow the pressure down to your specific needs?

No...

If you have seldom used the machine what has caused the scabs in your nose -- how are you sure it is from the machine or mask?

I pick my nose a bit here and there - we all do. I sometimes pick to hard or deep. Scabs happen. That happened in one nostril. The other is scabbed up but I didn't dig deep on that one - it happened the day after I tried a new nasal pillow mask. I am not sure what it was from so I asked.

How do you know the mask fits you properly?

I don't. I have a feeling it doesn't.

bdp522 - I have no health care nor a Doctor or the money for one. I am lucky to get by without getting sick. I will change the water and turn the setting from 1 to 3 on the humidifier and see if that helps.

As far as the mask goes I just feel like I'm not getting enough air although I know I am. It's a weird feeling.

I know most people don't like the idea that I'm self diagnosed. Sorry guys. At this point I've tried everything and all I want is a good night sleep. If the machine does that for me so be it.

If I kept my HH on 1, I too would get sores. I tink cranking it up may solve most of your problems. Please check your PMs.

Brenda

Brenda - did that PM I sent you come through? Thxs..

You have received some very good advice here. If you are truly wanting to get better you are going to have to help yourself. No one can do this treatment for you.

kona0197



Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 22

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:09 am Post subject: Hello - I'm Kona... Delete Spam

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And I am happy to be among others that have the same problem as I do. I have been struggling these last three night to get used to the machine but I just can't do it. It feels like I'm drowning so I end up breathing through my mouth. I guess I need a full face mask.

Any suggestions?

This post seems to indicate that you started on the 9th or 10th of October using a CPAP machine. Here you stated that you thought you needed a full face mask. It takes time to adjust to treatment and 3 nights are not enough to know if your mask is going to work or not. You need to give it some time. Try some of the suggestions with mouth taping, chin strap, etc.

In that thread snoredog gave you some good advice about making your own nasal rinse. The ingredients are readily available for little costs. Everyone of the post gave good suggestions on how to make treatment easier to adjust to.

kona0197



Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 22

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:55 pm Post subject: Delete Spam

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I tried again a few nights ago. Honestly I am so busy it's almost impossible to even try to use the machine. As we speak the machine sits in a pile on the floor awaiting to be put up. The thing scares me.

To tell everyone the truth I really need a full facial mask. No one happens to have one they could part with do they?

Thanks everyone for your helpfullness and responses

In this post you indicate that you tried again -- but this statement doesn't make any sense since your first post indicates you started using the cpap just a few nights ago -- so how many nights have you really tried using the machine? Many users take weeks and even months to adjust to using a CPAP.

Two days later you post the following:

kona0197



Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 22

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:37 am Post subject: Delete Spam

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OK I posted in that thread.

I have tried using the mask for hours with and without the machine while watching TV and it's all good until I lay down. It seems my nose closes or i get congested when I lay down as opposed to sitting up.

I have also noticed a new medical problem. I have been getting up every hour to use the bathroom. I think I have a problem with an over-active bladder. Perhaps if this problem was cured then could I get a good nights sleep - or better than I have

There is only 2 days between post -- not a great deal of time to get used to something.

I say give it more time -- stop playing with it. Leave the machine set at ONE pressure and use it as much as possible for up to a week (minimum) or longer.

Make adjustments gradually and do not change anything else for a week or two -- including mask. When you do change mask don't change anything else and give it a week or two before making an additional change.

It has been only about 10 days since you started if I read you posts correctly.

I do not have a problem trying to self-diagnose but we can't do it for you -- it is up to you on how bad you want this to work.

You can find mask cheaply on eBay (okay you are suspended but it is still a good place to get a mask) as I picked up a SNAPP for only $7.00.